What does "taken" mean?

1. (past participle of take) the form of 'take' used after 'have' or 'be'. 2. (in a relationship) already in a romantic relationship and not available to date others. 3. (very attracted to) to be very impressed by or attracted to someone or something.

How do you use "taken"?

As a past participle, it requires an auxiliary verb like 'have' or 'be'. Usually follows the pattern 'be taken with' or 'be taken by'.

Is it correct to say "I have took the bus many times."?

No — say "I have taken the bus many times.". Use 'taken' with the auxiliary verb 'have' for the present perfect; 'took' is only for the simple past.

taken

v. · adj.

US //ˈteɪkən// UK //tˈeɪkən// tak·en

1 past participle of take (v.)
A1 Beginner

the form of 'take' used after 'have' or 'be'.

the past participle of the irregular verb 'take'. Used in the formation of perfect tenses and passive voice constructions.

Example

I have taken this medicine every morning for a week.

Example

The decision was taken after several hours of intense deliberation by the board of directors.

Usage

As a past participle, it requires an auxiliary verb like 'have' or 'be'.
- given
Pitfall

I have took the bus many times.

I have taken the bus many times.

Use 'taken' with the auxiliary verb 'have' for the present perfect; 'took' is only for the simple past.
2 in a relationship (adj.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

already in a romantic relationship and not available to date others.

unavailable for romantic pursuit due to being in a committed relationship.

Example

I'm sorry, but I'm already taken and I'm very happy with my partner.

Example

He didn't realize she was already taken until he saw her wedding ring during the dinner party.

Teacher's tip

This is a very common way to politely decline a romantic advance in social settings.
- single
- available

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3 very attracted to (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

to be very impressed by or attracted to someone or something.

captivated, infatuated, or highly impressed by a person, idea, or object. Often follows the verb 'be' and takes the preposition 'with'.

Example

He was quite taken with the small village and decided to stay for another week.

Example

The critics were clearly taken with the young pianist's debut performance, praising her technical precision and emotional depth.

Usage

Usually follows the pattern 'be taken with' or 'be taken by'.
- indifferent
- repelled

Origin

From Middle English taken, takenn, from Old English tacen, ġetacen, from Old Norse tekinn, from Proto-Germanic tēkanaz, past participle of Proto-Germanic *tēkaną (“to take; grasp; touch”). Cognate with Scots takin, tane, Danish tagen, Swedish tagen, Icelandic tekin. Morphologically take + -n.

Idioms3 entries